Final answer:
The electron carriers in the ETC include four protein complexes, Coenzyme Q, and cytochrome C. NADH and FADH2 provide the electrons for the ETC, and as the electrons move through the ETC, they release energy used to shuttle hydrogen ions. This forms an electrochemical gradient that drives ATP synthesis through chemiosmosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron carriers present in the electron transport chain (ETC) are embedded into the inner membrane of mitochondria and the plasma membrane of prokaryotes. The ETC consists of four protein complexes (labeled I through IV) and two mobile accessory electron carriers, Coenzyme Q (Q) and cytochrome C (Cyt c). NADH and FADH2, produced during glucose catabolism, provide the electrons to fuel the ETC.
As these electrons move through the ETC, they pass from higher to lower energy states, releasing energy that is used to shuttle hydrogen ions (H*) from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. This establishes an electrochemical gradient, which is then utilized during chemiosmosis to produce ATP.